Choosing a Format: Audio, Video, or Screen Recording?
Which type of podcast do you need to create for your course? Choosing the right format is important and dictates the way you go about creating your content and how much work is involved.
First considering the message and what is required to convey it effectively will assist you in choosing the best format and options.
Audio:
- Easiest format for the content producer (equipment: a mic and computer or portable recording device)
- Smaller file sizes, software editing tools (if needed) are available free (see Audacity)
- Most portable to the end user (can be played on many devices beyond a computer)
- Best suited for: lectures and any other message or discussion where visuals are not paramount to the message
- Equipment: Mircophone or Portable Recording Device, Computer
- Software Choices: Audacity, Garageband, Quicktime, iTunes
Video:
- More complex for content prodcuer (equipment requires a video camera or webcam, depending on recording locations)
- Very large file sizes, software editing tools range from free to very expensive (computer processing power and time required to process video also important)
- Less portable to end user (can be played on computer but may not play on certain portable devices)
- Best suited for: Messages when visuals of speakers or events are paramount to the message, or would greatly enhance message quality.
- Equipment: Flip Video or Other Camcorders, Webcams or Apple’s built in iSight Camera
- Software: Apple: iMovie, Final Cut. Windows: Windows Movie Maker, Avid
Screencasting:
- More complex for content producer (microphone and computer needed, must be done at computer)
- Large file sizes, software tools needed for capture and editing are not free and range from $50 to $400 depending on needs.
- Portability for end user depends on players (as in video example above)
- Best suited for: Tutorials and situations where content shown on the computer screen is central to the message.
- Equipment: Microphones and Computer
- Software: Windows: Camtasia. Apple: Snapz Pro or Screen Flow
Vara Software’s 
An enhanced podcast includes visuals. While a visual is not always necessary, if you do have a powerpoint lecture there are several ways to capture your lecture as you give it. This will create a video podcast of your voice with your slides. (You can also do this outside of class in a rehearsed manner as well).
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